By Capt. David Jenning A group of Marines and volunteers ride along the roadside during the 6th annual 2008 Face of America Bike Ride May 3 and 4.

The Face of America Bike Ride was a two-day bike ride from Bethesda, Md. to historic Gettysburg, Pa., which is about 110 miles on two wheels. This event has been going on since 2002, and was started after the World Trade Center attacks. The first ride was from Ground Zero in New York City to the Pentagon, according to Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Donald Cramblit, who rode with the organization for the first time this year.

‘‘There were a vast variety of people on this trip from company executives to active duty Military,” said Cramblit.

The trip was fun and relatively easy. The food was great, and they took breaks often. The weather was perfect and everyone there got to talk and learn from the injured Marines, according to Cramblit.

‘‘It was really a good event. Everyone seemed to have fun, and the event was coordinated well,” said Capt. David Jenning, the executive officer of Quantico’s Tennant Activities Company.

The event was intended to honor and assist servicemen and women who have been severely injured in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and any other service members as well.

There were over 200 participants in this years ride 60 of whom were some how injured in Iraq or Afghanistan.

‘‘We were riding with some Marines who had no calf muscles,” said Cramblit. ‘‘It was really inspiring for me to see them make this trip.”

The bike ride raised money for the T.E.A.M. Sports organization which is an organization that uses the universal power of sports to create soul-stirring experiences by teaming disabled athletes with able-bodied athletes, forming a true TEAM, according to the World Team Sports Web site.

This ride offered the unique opportunity for anybody to ride side by side with these heroes and personally encourage them, letting them know that they can still be active athletes and still be a part of the TEAM.

‘‘We would really like to see a better turn out of volunteers from Quantico next year,” said Jenning. ‘‘It would be amazing to double our number of volunteers for next year’s ride.”

There is no charge for any active duty servicemen or women, both able-bodied and disabled, to participate. There is a $400 minimum fundraising goal for all other participants. The money raised will pay for all the costs of the active duty participants, including accommodations, food, outreach, providing usage of bikes, cycling clinics, and all other costs associated with the ride, according to the Face of America official Web site.